Out Of The Shadows

Historically, the topic of mental illness has been overlooked, shunned and stigmatized by our society. The stories of those suffering from mental health issues have been largely left unspoken. However, thanks to increased media coverage and education, that paradigm has begun to shift along with our cultural perceptions. 

Making its way into the light, the plight of the mentally ill is slowly gaining the attention it deserves. In 2010, the National Alliance on Mental Illness estimated that there were 660,000 adults and roughly 180,000 children dealing with serious mental health conditions in Florida alone. Chances are that you or someone you know has had an experience with mental illness and the daily struggles associated with it.  

 Our House Network of Vero Beach is on the frontline of assisting those afflicted with mental health issues. A program of the Mental Health Association of Indian River County and a United Way Agency, Our House Network is a consumer-run, drop-in center for individuals with mental illness. Providing critical support and resources to community members, it has an average daily attendance of 30 clients. 

Executive Director Dr. Bob Brugnoli says, “Mental health drop-in centers offer people with mental illness the unique opportunity to socialize with other people with similar problems and benefit from developing friendships and receiving support from people familiar with the challenges that they face on a daily basis. They also afford people an opportunity to become more involved in the community and to learn coping skills essential to their recovery.”